American Film Market Dailies

Arclight Films is set to handle worldwide distribution rights for the romantic comedy A Very Senior High starring a stellar ensemble cast featuring Academy Award® winner Ellen Burstyn (The Tale, Interstellar), James Caan (Elf, Misery), two-time Academy Award® nominee Ann-Margret (Going in Style, Carnal Knowledge), Golden Globe nominee Jane Curtin (The Spy Who Dumped Me, The Heat), Emmy Award winner Loretta Devine (“Grey’s Anatomy,” Crash), Emmy Award winner Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future, Going in Style), Emmy Award winner Elizabeth Mitchell (“Lost,” The Santa Clause 2 & 3), and French Stewart (CBS’ “Mom,” ABC’s “The Middle”).

The film is directed by Emmy Award-winning director Michael Lembeck known for his feature comedies The Santa Clause 2 & 3 starring Tim Allen, Twentieth Century Fox’s box-office smash Tooth Fairy starring Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Judd, and Seth McFarlane. Arclight Films will screen the film for the first time for buyers and commence sales at the upcoming virtual American Film Market.

A Very Senior High is an Astute Films production with Harrison Powell, Dominique Telson, and Fred Bernstein producing. Executive producers are Richard L. Jackson and Claudine Marrotte.  A Very Senior High is written by Donald Martin based on a story created by Powell which was inspired by his grandmother’s own experience of moving into a retirement community and discovering it was like high school all over again.

The fun, heartwarming film tells the story of Helen Wilson, played by Burstyn, an independent widow who moves into the Pine Grove Senior Community and discovers it’s like high school all over. Though she initially avoids the cliques, powerplays, and flirtatious suitors, her life is forever changed when she steps outside her comfort zone and learns to love again. Caan plays Dan Simpson, a new resident of Pine Grove, a debonair gentleman with a soft spot for Helen. 

“We are delighted to introduce the beautiful A Very Senior High to buyers. The Astute team, Michael Lembeck and the stellar cast have really brought this romantic comedy to new heights. It is both hilarious and full of heart! Both older and younger audiences will enjoy this film based on a true story. In a world full of people trying to find love, A Very Senior High brings much needed hope for every generation,” said Arclight Films Chairman Gary Hamilton.

"With so much stress and uncertainty going on right now, we feel it is perfect timing to bring a feel-good movie with heart to the marketplace. This film is a celebration of laughter, love, family, and friendship. It is where Mean Girls becomes Golden Girls. We could all use some of that right now," said Powell.

Arclight Films’ current slate of films also includes the  following completed titles that will screen at AFM: horror-romance Carmilla which premiered at the Edinburgh Film Festival; Twist starring Michael Caine, Lena Heady, and Rita Ora that will screen privately for buyers; sports drama Streamline with Jason Isaacs and Levi Miller; Venice Film Festival Official Selection The Furnace; magical coming-of-age story Chasing Wonders starring Paz Vega and Edward James Olmos;  martial arts film The Foggy Mountain; horror-thriller Bloody Hell; cult thriller The Sinners created by Courtney Paige and the warmhearted comedy Butter.  Additional completed titles available are; Here Are the Young Men starring Travis Fimmel, Dean-Charles Chapman, Finn Cole, and Anya Taylor-Joy; haunting thriller Let It Snow; Sundance’s critically acclaimed sci-fi thriller Possessor starring Andrea Riseborough, Christopher Abbott, Sean Bean, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, directed by Brandon Cronenberg released on October 2nd in the U.S. by NEON.